No, you won’t find my face plastered across the front page of any Moldovan newspaper with a wild headline—haha! My brief moment of fame lasted all of five seconds as B-roll footage on Europa Libera‘s coverage of America Day in Chisinau, back in May 2023 (see screenshot for proof).
It all started when I was in Moldova visiting a friend, who was there on a Fulbright. She casually mentioned she’d be going to America Day, and I was instantly curious. America Day? In Moldova? What was that all about?
I wasn’t about to miss out on something so peculiar. Turns out, it’s not a national holiday like I originally thought—it’s an event organized by the US Embassy to showcase American culture and strengthen ties between the two countries. Hmmm.
At first, I have to admit, the idea of an American-themed day in the heart of Moldova seemed a bit…cheesy. But, to my surprise, it ended up being really fun. One of Chisinau’s main squares transformed into a lively festival with a concert stage where bands performed American pop classics and even some country music. There were rows of booths promoting everything from non-profits to cultural exchange programs. Each booth came with its own prizes if you stopped by—and yes, the embassy staff wore shirts that said, “I am American. Ask me anything.” I was amused.
There were also photo booths, carnival games, loads of activities, and free food! Not to mention, living statues of the Statue of Liberty. The streets were dressed up in red, white, and blue, taking me back to 4th of July celebrations. I found myself in a little slice of the US, but all the while, I had to keep reminding myself: You’re in Chisinau.
The turnout was impressive, with both Moldovans and expats in full force. As the day wrapped up, the US ambassador gave a closing speech, and I walked away with enough free swag to last me a year. I ended the evening sharing beer with a couple of new American friends I’d met at the event.
It was definitely not how I envisioned spending a day in Moldova, but oddly enough, it became one of the highlights of my trip!
Your faceeeee
hahahaha wonder what I was looking at